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What is Tinnitus?

Tinnitus is commonly called "ringing in the ears." It is any type of noise that originates from inside the ear instead of from an outside, external source. While some people who suffer from tinnitus have stated that they notice a ringing sound, others have compared it to the buzzing of a bee or a high-tension wire.

Others have said it sounds more like the wind whistling or the ocean waves crashing from very far away. Tinnitus is not considered dangerous or life-threatening, but it can be extremely irritating to those who suffer from this condition. There are several different types of tinnitus.

Tonal Tinnitus- Tonal tinnitus is characterized by a single tone that sounds without break or interruption in the ear. This type of tinnitus is usually characterized as ringing in the ear.

Pulsatile Tinnitus- Pulsatile tinnitus is characterized by pulsating sounds such as ringing, buzzing, or whistling, often marked in time with the heartbeat of the individual.

Objective Tinnitus- While the sounds associated with tinnitus are generally only heard by the person experiencing them, in cases of objective tinnitus, anyone examining the ear, or close to the ear may also hear the sounds.

Symptoms of Tinnitus

The most common symptom of tinnitus is the sound heard within the ears. Tinnitus can range in sound from a quiet, almost unnoticeable sound, to a sound so loud that the person suffering from tinnitus has difficulty sleeping, thinking, or concentrating. While the majority of tinnitus cases are simply irritating and annoying, the sound of tinnitus can signal a more serious underlying condition.

In some rare cases, tonal tinnitus can signify a hardening of the arteries and build-up of plaque around the heart. Pulsatile tinnitus has occasionally been linked to aneurysms or tumors.

Other symptoms of tinnitus include phantom sounds not mentioned above such as clicking, hissing, or screeching. The pitch of sounds can vary from an imperceptible hiss to a large squeal or squelch sound.

Causes of Tinnitus

Tinnitus can start from any area of the ear including the outer ear, middle ear, or ear drum. A small amount of tinnitus is normal. If you were to go into a sound-proof room with all external outside noise diminished, you would notice some small amount of sound from within your ears. Often, when under a stressful or scary situation, people have referred to hearing " the blood rushing in their ears." This sound would be a tinnitus episode.

Often, ordinary things can cause tinnitus to be louder and more noticeable than normal. Things such as a clogged ear from a cold, a build-up of earwax, or an ear infection often exacerbate tinnitus.

Other causes of tinnitus include damage to the microscopic nerve endings within the ear as well as damage from extremely loud noises. With the advent and popularity of mp3 players, I have noticed a large increase of patients complaining of tinnitus. This is because they are listening to music directly in the ear at decibel levels that the ear was never meant to be exposed to directly.

Tinnitus and Hearing Loss

While tinnitus does not cause hearing loss, hearing loss seems to cause tinnitus. While tinnitus and hearing loss seem to go hand in hand, there are other things that trigger tinnitus. A high level of stress and anxiety can cause hearing loss, as can the consumption of caffeine and nicotine. These factors are not considered primary tinnitus causes, but are instead referred to as aggravating factors in cases of tinnitus.

Many people who experience hearing loss become more aware of tinnitus. One of the most famous spokespersons for tinnitus is William Shatner, who revealed that he suffered such a degree of tinnitus that he felt as if he were going crazy.

He was one case where the noise disturbance interfered with his quality of life and daily activities.

Treatment for Tinnitus

Whether you suffer from a mild case of tinnitus that is simply annoying and irritating, or whether your case of tinnitus interferes with your day-to-day life, I am committed to treating and curing your tinnitus. I have many years experience treating tinnitus. My treatments for tinnitus may include relaxation techniques such as Static Yoga or bio-feedback along with myofascial therapy.

In myofascial therapy, I use direct pressure and stretching techniques to work around your face, neck, and ear area. Often, relieving pressure in those areas can both treat and cure tinnitus. I also employ the use of adjustments to the cervical spine, with emphasis on the cranium and upper cervical area.

Because there is a correlation between chronic pain and tinnitus, spinal adjusting has the capability to restore balance to the parasympathetic and sympathetic nerve system.